The 35,000-square-foot eco-friendly structure has rows of palm trees and native plants in an open courtyard, plus a fire pit and lounge chairs.

The new $45-million concourse at Long Beach Airport has opened its doors, giving passengers their first look at a project 10 years in the making.

Scores of travelers — arriving and departing — made their way Wednesday morning through the 35,000-square-foot eco-friendly structure, with its rows of palm trees and native plants in an open courtyard.

The new terminal is also equipped with a fire pit and lounge chairs. The food area inside the northern concourse offers samples from Long Beach restaurants. Nearby, an iPad station equipped with card swipers gives passengers the opportunity to order food, shop, check their email or catch up on news.

It's a big change for Long Beach travelers, who have spent the last few years waiting for flights in cramped, temporary trailers. "It was musky and disgusting," Even Ferrari, 35, recalled.

"We're proud of this," said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, who arrived before dawn Wednesday to participate in the grand opening.

When the first flight arrived from Las Vegas, Jet Blue employees clapped and cheered as they welcomed travelers and flight crew into the new terminal. They handed out T-shirts that read "I heart LGB" (the airport's code) and tiny cupcakes.

Livio Lippetti, 55, of Las Vegas said he was surprised. "This is sweet," he said. "They did a nice job here; I'm very impressed."

Long Beach Airport, which has been owned by the city since 1923, handles about 3 million commercial passengers a year and is served by a handful of airlines.

The airport is known for easy access and convenience for travelers who can usually get through check-in and security faster than at Los Angeles International Airport.

Dennis Anaya, a 35-year-old music producer, says he travels from his Sherman Oaks home to Long Beach to avoid LAX traffic and check-in lines. Now with the new concourse completed, he says he'll be mostly traveling out of Long Beach Airport.

Long Beach officials said they spent a total of $140 million on new construction and repair of most of the structures in the small airport. The work was financed mostly by federal grants and city bonds to be paid off over time with fees charged to airlines and passengers.

The renovation of the older terminal structure led to the discovery that several floor mosaics finished in 1941 were still in good enough condition to restore and display.

A lawsuit and planning delays caused the project to drag out for years, but officials say it was worth the wait. "It probably took a little longer than it should have, but we did it right and I'd rather do it right than do it fast," Foster said.